Environmental beautification

The Long Island Fencers’ Club challenges our students to become "Beacons of Light" to improve the world. Our fencing club will schedule volunteer activities in the Long Island area; students and families need not participate as part of their membership. Our volunteer initiative will be known as “Let the Sunshine, " including our Food Drives, Beach, Park, and street cleanups.

The Long Island Fencers’ Club is in the process of expanding our food drive each year, with contributions dropped off at your child’s fencing class. Acceptable donations include canned goods, nonperishable food items, and/or bathroom toiletries, including hotel-sizes.

The Long Island Fencers’ Club challenges our membership to collect food donations from friends, family, neighbors, and patrons of local food markets to “Let the Sunshine” on senior citizens. Each item donated provides a ray of hope, knowing someone cares! Please take a moment to consider those who could use a helping hand.

What do you say to people who freely give to those who could use a helping hand? We are genuinely impressed with our students for the donations they have made thus far.

LET THE SUNSHINE AMBASSADOR

Long Island Fencers' Club Environmental Beautification Ambassador Vivienne Cranz, USA Fencing

The Long Island Fencers’ Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Vivienne Cranz as a "Let the Sunshine Ambassador" of Environmental Beautification for Suffolk County, New York. Ambassador Vivienne is responsible for developing a strategic plan to help remove trash from Western/Eastern Suffolk County Parks and Beaches, recruiting and directing volunteers, coordinating cleanup efforts with State, County, and local governments, and maintaining records.

Vivi is a primary school student with a big heart and big plans. She hopes to pursue a career in Conservation and Environmental Science in the very near Future.

Vivi is an active and committed Support Level Steward of Back to the Bays, the Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program & Long Island Shellfish Restoration Project. She began in this role at the age of 7, as one of the youngest contributing and volunteering members. As a Steward, she volunteers for fieldwork, including marine plant and animal care in the shellfish and coastal plant nurseries as well as release sites.

Vivi is part of the team, directly supporting the efforts of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Marine Program. Since 1985, the Marine Program has been working to increasing the water quality of Long Island’s local bays, improving habitat availability for our marine species, enhancing and restoring stocks of commercially and recreationally important shellfish, providing meaningful volunteer opportunities to the public, and educating youth about the importance of protecting and preserving our marine ecosystem and maritime heritage.

Vivi is an avid student of science, as well as a foil, epee and saber fencer, beginning her fencing journey at age just 6. She is also a swimmer and beginning violinist.

Vivi Is a Junior Park Ranger at Fire Island National Seashore.

Vivi’s outgoing, engaging, supportive and kind wining her school’s Social Butterfly Award and school awards for:

“Being Safe, Respectable, and Responsible”

“Working Hard and Never Giving Up”

“Dreaming Big and Reaching for the Stars”

“Making a Positive Difference in the School and Greater Community”

Long Island Fencers' Club Environmental Ambassador, Ella Cullen, USA Fencing, Fencing Clubs

The Long Island Fencers’ Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Ella Cullen as a "Let the Sunshine Ambassador" of Environmental Beautification for Suffolk County, New York. Ambassador Ella Cullen is responsible for maintaining records and developing a strategic plan to help remove trash from designated Suffolk County Highways, recruiting and directing volunteers, and coordinating cleanup efforts with State, County, local governments, and law enforcement.

Ella is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, a flute player with the school band, the Treasurer for the Yearbook Club, a member of HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere) Club responsible for organizing and running a variety of school-based activities and fundraisers including Holiday food drives, the collection of gently used eyeglasses, the collection of supplies for soldiers, selling carnations to support the American Heart Association and the Warm Coat Drive.

Ella is a Sabre fencer and member of the Long Island Fencers’ Club since December of 2023, a school Field Hockey Team member in 7th and 8th grade, and a Sayville Softball Travel Team player.

Ella is an avid reader who enjoys painting, crafting, baking, and the outdoors. Ella loves the beach, Water Skiing, Standup Paddle Boarding, Fishing, and Snowboarding.

Long Island Fencers Club, Environmental Beautification, Ambassador Shae Rhonemus, St Patrick's High

The Long Island Fencers’ Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Shae Rhonemus as a "Let the Sunshine Ambassador" of Environmental Beautification for Suffolk County, New York. Ambassador Shae Rhonemus is responsible for maintaining records and developing a strategic plan to help remove trash from designated Suffolk County Highways, recruiting and directing volunteers, and coordinating cleanup efforts with State, County, and local governments, and law enforcement.

Ambassador Rhonemus has attended Saint Patrick’s Junior High School in Huntington, New York since Kindergarten and for the past year has participated with Troop 78 of Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America. Shae is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, reverent, and always the first to volunteer his time for the betterment of the Long Island Fencers’ Club.

Ambassador Shae Rhonemus played the Bells with his school band for six years and recently began taking private lessons for other percussion instruments (i.e. drums and marimba). Shae’s musical talents were recognized and celebrated with his selection to the local catholic schools Honor Band for the past two years. Ambassador Shae Rhonemus is an avid Chess player and a member of his school’s chess club for several years.

Ambassador Shae Rhonemus joined the Long Island Fencers’ Club in December of 2023, and elected to train as a Sabre Fencer. Shae subsequently became the youngest fencer to join the Advance Fencing class and has dedicated himself to the sport of fencing.

Long Island Fencers Club, Technology Recycling and Reuse, Ambassador Layne Cranz, USA Fencing

The Long Island Fencers’ Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Layne Cranz as a "Let the Sunshine” Ambassador of Technology Recycling and Reuse for Suffolk County, New York. In this role, Layne will develop a strategic plan to promote the responsible removal, recycling, and reuse of post-consumer technology products and equipment throughout New York State. His responsibilities include recruiting and managing volunteers, coordinating with state, county, and local governments, nonprofit organizations, corporate sponsors, sanitation departments, and recycling centers, and maintaining detailed records of all activities.

Layne is an honor roll junior high school student with aspirations to pursue a career in robotics. From an early age, he has shown a deep passion for coding, 3D design, engineering, and robotics, participating in programs and workshops through Sylvan, the YMCA, and SCOPE.

As a robotics enthusiast, Layne has achieved success in the FIRST® LEGO® League Robotic Challenge, reaching the championship level with his team and earning the Tinkerer Masterpiece Award. He currently competes in the VEX Robotics program.

Beyond robotics, Layne is an accomplished athlete. He competes on his junior high school’s cross-country team and fences on the high school varsity fencing team, a distinction he earned early, in the seventh grade. Layne began fencing at the Long Island Fencers Club while still in elementary school. Layne is also an avid swimmer, surfer, snowboarder, and kayaker. Layne also appreciates live music. He plays upright bass both in his school orchestra and during his free time.

Layne seeks to balance his affinity for technology with a commitment to environmental stewardship. He is interested in sustainable practices, reuse, and technology recycling. He is an active and committed Support Level Steward of Back to the Bays, the Cornell Cooperative Extension Environmental Marine Program. His volunteer work through this organization helps to rid Long Island Beaches of debris, restore and foster native marine life. Layne is committed to making the world a better place through technological innovation. His role as Ambassador of Technology Recycling and Reuse will enable Layne to support and promote the diversion of tech waste from local landfills and provide individuals in high-risk communities nationwide with access to needed technology. Layne is driven by a vision of a better future with mutually reinforcing innovation, responsibility, and sustainability.

Layne would be working with:

Huntington Recycling Center

641 New York Ave, Huntington, NY 11743

(631) 446-3653

https://huntingtonny.gov/RecyclingCenter

Town of Brookhaven Materials Recycling Facility

Town of Brookhaven Landfill,

350 Horseblock Road, Brookhaven, NY 11719

(631) 451-8696

https://www.brookhavenny.gov/417/Town-Solid-Waste-Management-Facility

Secure the Call - Saving Lives, One Phone at a Time

For 21 years, Secure the Call – a 501(c)(3) non-profit – has provided free 911 phones and tablets to Victims of Domestic Violence, Senior Citizen Centers, unhoused, and other high-risk communities across the country. Your old devices can save lives.

https://securethecall.org/

April 13, 2025 - SMITH POINT COUNTY PARK

The Long Island Fencers’ Club recognizes the following persons for their civic pride and volunteerism in our “Let the Sunshine Environmental Beautification Initiative” at Smith Point County Park, Shirley, New York, on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Their effort to preserve our natural resources by eradicating harmful materials from our beaches helps ensure a healthier living environment for local and migrant aquatic and terrestrial animals.

The Long Island Fencers’ Club recognizes the importance of your participation and wishes to thank Gregory Cranz, Layne Cranz, Howard Hirsch, Dylan Wong, Irena Piechota-Wong, and Myles Wong for volunteering four hours.

The Long Island Fencers’ Club extends a special thank you to Irene Piechota-Wong, Howard Hirsch, Gregory Cranz, Michael Trotta, and Mary Trotta for making this day possible.

The Long Island Fencers’ Club thanks Ranger Chris Olijnyk for his dedication and support in preserving the environment for future generations.

The Long Island Fencers’ Club recognizes and praises Michelle and Vivienne Cranz as the Environmental Beautification Ambassadors in charge of this effort. Vivienne Cranz conducted a sponsorship drive, securing valuable tools and resources to facilitate the first-ever “Let the Sunshine Environmental Beautification” project. In doing so, Vivienne dedicated seven and a half volunteer hours to this event.

NOVEMBER 10, 2024 - SMITH POINT COUNTY PARK

The Long Island Fencers’ Club recognizes the following persons for their civic pride and volunteerism in our “Let the Sunshine Environmental Beautification Initiative” at Smith Point County Park, Shirley, New York, on Sunday, November 10, 2024. Their effort to preserve our natural resources by eradicating harmful materials from our beaches helps ensure a healthier living environment for local and migrant aquatic and terrestrial animals.

The Long Island Fencers’ Club recognizes the importance of your participation. It wishes to thank Leo Chung, Lucas Chung, Shin Chung, Gregory Cranz, Layne Cranz, Michelle Cranz, Ella Cullen, Christina Daly, Kara Daly, Liam Daly, Philip Daly, Ryan Daly, Devon Giuliano, Jeff Giuliano, Howard Hirsch, Angie Vasquez, Jenavieve Vasquez, Dyan Wong, Irena Piechota-Wong, and Myles Wong for volunteering.

The Long Island Fencers’ Club recognizes and praises Vivienne Cranz as the Environmental Beautification Ambassador in charge of this effort. Vivienne Cranz conducted a sponsorship drive, securing valuable tools and resources to facilitate the first-ever “Let the Sunshine Environmental Beautification” project.

The Long Island Fencers' Club would like to thank the "Sign Design Group of New York" for their generous donation towards purchasing the tools required to initiate of Environmental Beautification initiative.

Adopt-A-Highway

The Long Island Fencers Club, renowned for nurturing fencing talent and fostering a spirit of camaraderie, has ventured beyond the boundaries of the piste to take on a new challenge: the Adopt-a-Highway Clean Up initiative. Rooted in a commitment to service and responsibility, the club's decision to participate in this program reflects its core values of discipline, teamwork, and community engagement. Through regular clean-up events, club members demonstrate that their dedication to excellence extends far beyond the sport itself and into the heart of the local environment.

The Adopt-a-Highway program is a nationwide public service initiative that invites organizations, businesses, and community groups to help maintain the cleanliness and beauty of roadways. Participants "adopt" stretches of highway and commit to periodic litter removal, thereby reducing pollution and enhancing the visual appeal of their communities. In return, groups are acknowledged with signage along their designated route, celebrating their contribution to public service.

On Long Island, where the intricate web of highways weaves together bustling towns and scenic coastal stretches, roadside litter can diminish both aesthetic and ecological value. The Adopt-a-Highway program empowers local groups to take ownership of their surroundings, forging a collective effort toward environmental stewardship.

Recognizing the importance of environmental action and civic engagement, the Long Island Fencers Club decided to adopt a section of highway near their training facility. This endeavor was born out of a desire to give back to the community that has supported the club for decades and to instill a sense of responsibility in its members, especially the younger athletes. By organizing clean-up days, the club not only makes a tangible impact on the environment but also strengthens bonds among its members through shared purpose and collaboration.

After consulting with local authorities and reviewing safety guidelines, the club selected a segment of highway that runs close to schools, parks, and residential neighborhoods. This strategic choice ensures maximum visibility, impact, and accessibility for volunteers. The stretch is marked with a sign proudly displaying “Long Island Fencers Club,” a public testament to the organization’s ongoing commitment.

Volunteer coordination is central to the success of the clean-up events. The club’s leadership forms committees to manage logistics, safety protocols, and equipment needs. All members are invited to participate, with special encouragement extended to family and friends, thereby transforming each clean-up into a community celebration.

Before each event, volunteers receive training on proper waste handling, the use of personal protective equipment, and highway safety regulations. Supplies such as reflective vests, gloves, trash bags, and grabbers are provided. The club liaises with the Suffolk County Department of Public Works to ensure collected waste is disposed of appropriately.

Clean-up days typically begin with a brief gathering at the cleanup location, where participants review safety guidelines and assign teams to various sections of the highway. Volunteers spread out along their adopted stretch, diligently scanning for litter and recyclables. The effort often yields surprising discoveries from bottles and cans to stray roadside debris, each piece collected making a noticeable difference.

The camaraderie of the fencing club is palpable during these events. Laughter and conversations weave through the groups as members work side by side, drawing parallels between the teamwork required for fencing and the cooperation needed for civic action. Younger fencers learn from their elders, absorbing lessons in responsibility and pride of place.

The results of the clean-up are immediately apparent. Roadsides, once marred by litter, transform into clean, welcoming corridors for motorists and pedestrians alike. The club’s efforts have not gone unnoticed; residents often pause to thank volunteers, and the highway signage sparks curiosity and admiration.

Beyond aesthetic improvements, the club’s initiative has tangible environmental benefits. Reducing litter along roadways helps prevent harmful substances from entering storm drains and waterways, protecting local flora and fauna. The club’s visible dedication inspires other organizations to participate, creating a ripple effect of community engagement.

The clean-up events serve as hands-on educational experiences. Participants learn about the life cycle of waste, the importance of recycling, and the broader implications of pollution. The club supplements these lessons with informational sessions and guest speakers from environmental groups. For many young athletes, the Adopt-a-Highway program is their first introduction to environmental activism, a lesson that resonates far beyond the fencing piste.

Despite the program’s many rewards, the Long Island Fencers Club has encountered a few challenges. Ensuring safety on busy roadways requires constant vigilance and strict adherence to protocols. Inclement weather can force schedule changes, and coordinating large groups demands effective communication.

Yet, these obstacles have only strengthened the club’s resolve. Each clean-up is preceded by careful planning, and feedback from participants is used to refine future events. What emerges is a model of adaptability, perseverance, and shared purpose qualities that serve the club equally well in fencing competitions.

Encouraged by positive feedback and the visible transformation of their adopted highway, the Long Island Fencers Club is committed to making the clean-up an ongoing tradition. Plans are in place to expand the initiative, possibly adopting additional stretches or collaborating with neighboring clubs and schools. The club also aims to host educational workshops and community forums, amplifying their message of environmental stewardship.

The Long Island Fencers Club’s Adopt-a-Highway Clean Up stands as a vibrant example of how sports organizations can foster positive change within their communities. By marrying the discipline and unity of fencing with practical environmental action, the club not only beautifies local roadways but also cultivates a new generation of responsible citizens. Their story reminds us that the true measure of a club lies not only in its competitive victories but in its willingness to serve and inspire others.

Through ongoing commitment, education, and outreach, the Long Island Fencers Club continues to demonstrate that even small acts of service, such as picking up litter along a busy highway, can have a profound and lasting impact.